CHARALAMBOS MYLONAS
Innovative – Insightful – Entrepreneur – Authentic – Patriot – Philanthropist -Man of Principles & Ethos
Charalambos Mylonas was born in Cyprus and spent his childhood in the village of Limnia, 7 km northwest of the city of Famagusta.
He joined EOKA- “National Organization of Cypriot Fighters”* when he was at a young age actively supporting Cypriots fight against British rule in Cyprus. He graduated from the Cyprus Pedagogical Academy in 1961. His venture to Britain started only with a suit, a suitcase, a ticket and no money. He was awarded a scholarship for further studies in Child Psychology in London but he decided to change his orientation and study law while working to enable him to complete his studies.
He graduated from law school at Gray’s Inn in London in 1966.
London was the starting point for a brilliant professional career, as well as a meeting point with his lifelong wife, also a lawyer, Chariklia.
Having returned to his hometown, the Turkish invasion in 1974 and the fact that Famagusta was at the center of all the events which led to Cyprus occupation, severely disrupted his successful legal career and his family’s peace.
Greece will become the place where tragedy will turn into opportunity for growth. Charalambos Mylonas and his wife will accept the offer to work as legal advisors to Athena Martinou’s company and lay the foundations for a successful future career in shipping.
Charalambos Mylonas with his insight, strategic thinking, rational analysis, patience and perseverance, will create the conditions that would lead him to become a ship-owner.
The beginning of his unique course in the shipping industry will start with Transmed Shipping. The works of Transmed Shipping will play a key role in Charalambos Mylona’s leaving an indelible imprint in the shipping industry.
A leading figure, Charalambos Mylonas was a pillar of today’s Cyprus Shipping and the Cyprus Register of Shipping.
Among others he was:
- Founder of the “Cyprus Shipowners Association”, later renamed “Cyprus Union of Shipowners”
- President for 25 years, of the “Cyprus Union of Shipowners”
He led the developments:
- Drafting of the first Collective Labour Agreement for seafarers on Cypriot ships leading to its international recognition by the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF)
- Establishment of pay scales, overtime, holidays, medical care for seafarers
Charalambos Mylonas, a man of pure and genuine love for his fellow man, offered his steady financial support as a major sponsor, but above he put his multiple talents at the service of his fellow man.
Innovative in his philanthropic activity, he shared his vision with Metropolitan Nikolaos of Messogaia and Lavreotiki, to make palliative care an inalienable right for all patients in Greece who need it.
He was a founding member and lifelong Managing Director of “Galilee” Palliative Care Centre, with the sole compass of supporting people who suffer, regardless of nationality, religious beliefs and financial or insurance status. Since then and until his death, “Galilee” Palliative Care Centre cared for more than 5500 patients and caregivers at their homes, the Hospice and the Day Care Centre, relieving pain, embracing difficulties, alleviating some of the burden of patients and their family.
His insight, his patriotism and his upbringing with Greek-Christian “ethos” were also reflected in the decision to fund the construction of St. Nicholas Church on Strongyli Island. The island is remote, inaccessible but also of strategic importance for the connection of ΑΟΖ/ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) between Greece and Cyprus, both for the definition of the maritime zones and for the exploitation of the economic resources of the region. An act of love for his homeland, a legacy for future generations and a reference point for the Cypriot and Greek maritime community he served with vision and dedication.
In addition, he has been an important supporter of the House of Cyprus, strengthening the efforts to preserve the cultural and national identity of Cypriot Hellenism.
Charalampos Mylonas selfless offer and discreet charity extended as far as Jerusalem, by undertaking the financing of the new elegant Relinquary for the relics of Saint Savvas the Sanctified. His enduring contribution to the Holy Land was honored by his Beatitude Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III, with the medal of the Grand Commander of the Order of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre**.
All of us in “Galilee” Palliative Care Centre experienced his parental interest, his respect for all, his innate goodness and nobility.
Let these few words be a tribute to his memory, but also a source of inspiration for all of us to continue the work of giving to our fellow man through “Galilee” with the ethos and values of one of the pioneers in Galilee’s foundation.
* EOKA (Ethniki Organosis Kyprion Agoniston), which translates to “National Organization of Cypriot Fighters,” was a Greek Cypriot nationalist guerrilla organization that fought against British rule in Cyprus from 1955 to 1959, aiming for “enosis” (union with Greece). EOKA’s actions, including attacks on British targets, led to the Cyprus Emergency and ultimately influenced Cyprus’s path to independence.
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